Saturday night was UTEP’s Conference USA Opener, a home opener and a chance to show off their new helmet and uniform combination, but the Rice Owls crashed the party with a 31-14 victory.

“I don’t have a lot to say,” UTEP coach Sean Kugler said. “We got beat soundly in all phases. Hats off to Rice, they were the better team today, they were the more physical team today. They ran the ball extremely well and we didn’t. We dropped balls, we fumbled the ball, we didn’t tackle, we missed a lot of tackles in the backfield. It was a poor effort on our part, and it starts with me. Hats off to David Bailiff and his squad.”

Our very own Andres Acosta was there and brings your his view of the game in this ‘Story in Many Pics’

Rice Owls vs UTEP Miners, Sun Bowl Stadium, September 9th, 2017

Rice Owls vs UTEP Miners, Sun Bowl Stadium, September 9th, 2017

“You go back to work and you find out about character of young men, you find out about character of coaches,” Kugler said.

Rice Owls vs UTEP Miners, Sun Bowl Stadium, September 9th, 2017

Rice Owls vs UTEP Miners, Sun Bowl Stadium, September 9th, 2017

Rice Owls vs UTEP Miners, Sun Bowl Stadium, September 9th, 2017

Rice Owls vs UTEP Miners, Sun Bowl Stadium, September 9th, 2017

Rice Owls vs UTEP Miners, Sun Bowl Stadium, September 9th, 2017

Rice Owls vs UTEP Miners, Sun Bowl Stadium, September 9th, 2017

Rice Owls vs UTEP Miners, Sun Bowl Stadium, September 9th, 2017

FILE: “I thought in the first half we were really off,” Price said. “Offensively, obviously, we were off the whole game. That was hard for anyone to take.”

“I would like to thank coach Stull and Dr. [Diana] Natalicio for this great opportunity. I would like to thank the Miner fans who I love for all your support throughout my career as a player, assistant and head coach. I am proud to be a Miner for life.”